Community Care Program

CLESE continues to provide technical assistance to ensure that limited-English-speaking elderly receive Managed Long Term Services and Supports. CLESE estimates that over 10,000 immigrant, refugee and migrant elderly were served by CLESE member agencies last year. Advocating for equal access to services; for instance, through contracts with the Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA),community-based ethnic organizations are able to provide homemaker and adult day service to seniors who speak their language and understand their culture.

Managed Long Term Services and Supports

The Illinois Department on Aging’s Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) helps seniors, who might otherwise need nursing home care, to remain in their own homes by providing in-home and community-based services, especially adult day service. In-home services help seniors with household tasks such as cleaning, planning and preparing meals, doing laundry, shopping and running errands. Home Care Aides may also assist clients with personal care tasks such as dressing, bathing, grooming and following special diets. Adult day service is for older people who want to remain in the community but who cannot be home alone during the day due to a physical, social and/or mental impairment. Adult day service also provides respite for family caregivers, especially those who are employed outside the home, and socialization for isolated adults.

CLESE member agencies deliver MLTSS services to more than 10,000 seniors with limited English each year. Bilingual staff ensures that all seniors receive care that is culturally appropriate and effective in maintaining the seniors’ well-being and independence. CLESE provides our member agencies with technical assistance and support to ensure compliance with all program regulations, efficient program management, and best service delivery for clients.

Case managers meet with seniors in the senior’s home to determine whether the senior is eligible for MLTSS services and what their specific needs are. Bilingual translators and interpreters from CLESE member agencies regularly assists case managers to ensure that clients understand the MLTSS program and that case managers can identify each client’s real needs.

CLESE – We are our 54 Members!

CLESE incorporated in 1989. Our founding members served as an early advisory council to the Chicago Department on Aging’s ethnic elderly needs assessment in 1987. CLESE continues improving the lives of Limited English Speaking Elderly with advocacy, leadership and education. CLESE continues to grow and serve a larger community in 2014!